Public Relations

Dr. Kevin S. Trowbridge, APR, is an educator and professional, strategist, researcher, Learner®, Maximizer®, Relator® and all-around communication enthusiast. And, Dr. Trowbridge fuses those roles as a member of the public relations faculty at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. He teaches a variety of core and elective courses, including Public Relations Principles, Social Media & PR, Public Relations Cases and Senior Capstone. He also advises Tower Creative Consultants, Belmont’s student firm.

Prior to coming to Belmont in 2011, Dr. Trowbridge taught public relations and journalism courses at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., where he also advised the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), coached two nationally recognized Bateman Case Study competition teams and oversaw the student media operations. He also has experience in curriculum development, online course design and teaching at Regent University, Tidewater Community College and Union University.

After nearly a decade working as a full-time public relations professional, Dr. Trowbridge pursued his calling to become an educator, earned the Ph.D. in communication (with an emphasis in public relations and social media) and began teaching communication, journalism and public relations courses. Previously, he served as vice president for communications at the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), an international higher educational association headquartered in Washington, D.C. Other professional experiences include public relations, marketing and corporate communications positions in higher education, healthcare and financial organizations.

Now as an educator, Dr. Trowbridge remains connected to the profession through active membership in the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC). He is Accredited in Public Relations (APR) through PRSA and the Universal Accreditation Board. Dr. Trowbridge has been involved with PRSA at the local, district and national levels. Most recently he served as chair of the PRSA Southeast District, comprised of 11 chapters and about 2,200 members. Previously, he served his local PRSA chapters as president, vice president, professional development chair, membership chair, accreditation co-chair and PRSSA liaison. Additionally, Dr. Trowbridge has been involved with other professional organizations including the International Communication Association (ICA), National Communication Association (NCA), Southern States Communication Association (SSCA), Tennessee Communication Association (TCA), the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and the Social Media Club (SMC).

In addition to his institutional and professional commitments, Dr. Trowbridge enjoys researching social media and new technology’s impact on communication and culture, leading a ministry to young professionals, collecting Potato Heads and experimenting with all kinds of technological gadgets.

Dr. Trowbridge is married to Robyn Clifford Trowbridge and they are the parents to a beagle named Bakster.

Dr. Riechert teaches Public Relations Writing & Production and Public Relations Campaigns and serves as faculty advisor to the nationally-recognized Belmont University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Under her guidance the student chapter has received numerous national awards for ethics advocacy, chapter development and the PRSSA Star Chapter Award. She came to Belmont in 2006. Her background includes teaching at a state university, serving in public relations/communications positions at two state universities, and working as a journalist at a major daily newspaper.

She is active in a number of professional organizations including the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the International Communication Association, the National Communication Association, and the Religion Communicators Council. She serves on the boards of the Nashville PRSA Chapter and PRSA Southeast District. She is accredited in public relations and was named a PRSA Fellow in 2007.

Her research interests include strategic organizational communications, ethics in public relations, health communication, and message framing. She has authored scholarly journal articles, book chapters, and trade journal articles.

Dr. Riechert is married to Arthur Manuel Riechert Jr.

Dr. Christie Kleinmann, APR is an associate professor of public relations at Belmont University. In this capacity, she teaches courses in public relations, design & production, and sport communication. Kleinmann has been a featured presenter at many national and international research conferences and has been recognized for both her research and mentorship activities. She was named a Page Legacy Scholar by the Arthur W. Page Center for her research on social responsibility in sports and a Page Legacy Educator for her teaching modules on social responsibility in public relations.

Professionally, Kleinmann is accredited from the Public Relations Society of America and has served as the PRSA Lookout Chapter Accreditation Chair. Kleinmann has also received several professional awards, including the 40 Under 40 Business Leader Award in Northeast TN/Southwest VA, the 30 in their 30s Leadership Award in Southeast, TN, and the Geneva King Writing Award. Her professional background includes experience in health care and sport communication.
Kleinmann received her doctorate in Communication from the University of Tennessee with an emphasis in sport public relations. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education from King University in Bristol, Tenn. and her Master’s degree in Communication from Auburn University.